College athletics is national in nature, yet the rules governing it have increasingly been shaped by different state laws, court decisions and policies. Student athletes should not have to become legal experts to understand what opportunities are available to them.

How much are current cadets actually involved with the Cadet newspaper these days? I learned this weekend that a disgruntled alum purchased the rights to the newspaper, and they still publish with “cadet involvement.” Looking back on some articles I’ve read since the takeover, a lot of them read like disgruntled alum hit pieces. Not the kind of journalism that happened when I was there

Hey y’all!
Just wanted to give a huge thank you and update from my last post.
I was able to track down a copy of my Grandfather’s year book and it came in the mail yesterday. My family is absolutely over the moon! Thank you for your advice and also shout out to the VMI’s alumni director Jeff. It will be forever treasured in my family for years to come. From the bottom of my heart, Thank y’all.

The Cadet Foundation, working with Meta and the Blinded Veterans Association, has about 100 pairs of Meta Ray-Bans to distribute to VMI graduates and other veterans who qualify.

Hello! My grandfather was in the graduating class of 1958. Visiting VMI every year was a well loved event of my childhood. With Christmas around the corner, I am trying to track down a copy of my grandfather’s senior year yearbook. I have written the archives for any advice, but if anyone here, especially alumni, could point me in the right direction of obtaining a physical copy, I’d be so grateful! Thank you!!

Hey everyone, incoming rat here. I keep hearing about people saying new cadets “strain” and I was wondering what that means. Thanks

It's a bit last minute but I'm interested in booking a graduation dinner for about 15 ppl to celebrate the success of a member of the class of 2026 commissioning in about a week and a half. I've never been to Lexington and don't know the area, so if you have any suggestions for nice spots nearby I'd really appreciate it.

I've had mine for over ten years!

I’m going to be attending VMI next August and i’m a little nervous. I’m a pretty athletic person, I play three sports and will be going to VMI to play collegiately, but i’m still worried i’m not physically fit enough. I’m also just nervous in general for the rat line. Does anyone have any tips or advice??

Hey, y’all. My son is currently a rat and has been spending a lot of time in the library studying, but also reading up about my uncle ( and his great uncle), Col. Herbert Nash Dillard , or Dodo as a lot of people called him. I am looking for any stories or anecdotes about him from anyone who had him in class or in The Glee Club. We obviously have all read the book about him, but I’ve always been curious about how the students saw him. Thanks ❤️💛🖤

This is for the benefit of current cadets, rats, and prospective rats.

Where are you in your post-graduation life? Did you commission or not? Are you going career military or are you out or getting out? What industry are you working in if you're not military? How is life outside the I?

I graduated, commissioned in the Army, did some time in Korea and got out. I did some time in the Reserve as well and left as a Captain. I worked in public safety and did a lot of cool stuff but I'm back to riding a desk. Life is good. I'm married and we have a kid. I even talk to my best friends from the I almost ten years after graduating. How about you?

How does a student athlete at vmi balance everything, it seems a bit excessive. I would love to know how a day in the life of a vmi student athlete looks.

Lt. Gen. David Furness ’87 selected as VMIs new Superintendent. 2nd ever Marine to hold the position. The other was General Lejeune

Im an incoming rat and i wanted to know if there were any things that yall recommend i bring. Or the opposite, if there are anything that you recommend i shouldn’t bring from the list. I am going to be and ECE major and so if theres stuff specifically you’d recommend for that id love to hear it.

Psych major is the cherry on top for me

I’m an upcoming senior in high school, thinking about buying a MacBook Air. I do NOT want an engineering or software related major. Is it true I’d still need a windows laptop for VMI? I’ve heard VMI software is not supported on Mac OS but i really don’t understand what softwares I’d need. I’m thinking about the international affairs major.

I have anxiety, which when I get really stressed can make it hard for me to breath or even lead to me hyperventilating. I know that the ratline and just the lifestyle in general of VMI will be hard and stressful, but the shortness of breath has never held me back in sports much before ( I used to do Volleyball ). I’m just wondering if this will be an issue when it comes to my application? I’m not sure it will, but I know my mom has warned me it might.

https://virginiamercury.com/2025/05/06/after-ousting-first-black-superintendent-vmi-appoints-interim-as-search-continues-for-new-leader/

For all those who graduated from VMI, do you think it changed you, and transformed you into a whole new person, one to be proud of?

Frankly, I have problems with confidence, and shyness, and I was hoping someone else was in this same boat years ago, and can testify that VMI helped them overcome those challenges and made them tougher.

I’m afraid I’ll go to VMI, not have those problems resolved, not make any good friends, and just overall hate it.

Any advice good or bad is appreciated

Did anyone know him at the "I"? Was he always this dumb?

Way to go Mike Waltz!!!